NEW BRIGHTON'S exciting young cricketers led their team to a 53-run win over relegation-threatened Newton-le-Willows on Saturday.

But the Rake Lane side still trail Firwood Bootle by 70 points at the top of the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League.

Matty Thompson (93) shared a 121-run second-wicket partnership with David While (64) as Tim Watkins' men piled up 222-4 declared in just 48.2 overs.

Despite Marc de Brabander's unbeaten 41, the Wirral side's attack proved too strong for the visitors, Ashraf Nawab taking 4-40 and Martin Evans 3-44 as Newton-le-Willows subsided to 169 all out in 54.5 overs.

Defending champions Ormskirk showed that they are another side not prepared to give up the fight in late July when they chased down 235 in only 37.3 overs to beat Fleetwood Hesketh at Brook Lane.

Matthew Morgan (69 not out off 57 balls) was the main contributor to the exhilarating run-chase but Ian Robinson (57) and Matty Glayzer (38) also batted well in their team's six-wicket victory.

Earlier, Gary Wells had kept Adam Waterhouse's men in the field for 71 overs as his top-order batsmen compiled 234-5 declared. The captain himself notched 58 while Nicky Caunce claimed 3-52 for the home side.

Leaders Bootle had seemed well on course for their 14th league win but a gritty Northern fightback forced David Snellgrove's side to settle for a tense draw at Wadham Road.

Jack Kelliher's 58 and Neil Williams 45 not out had allowed skipper Snellgrove to declare on 224-7 after 51.4 overs and when the visitors had collapsed to 58-6, another 25-point win was very much in prospect.

But James Cole (65) and Karl Garcia (79) added 124 for the seventh wicket and Northern finished the match on 221-9, Mark O'Connor taking 3-38 and Snellgrove, 3-24.